Ray Houghton talks up West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek as Premier League POTY candidate
Ray Houghton is adamant that West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek should be in contention for the Premier League Player of the Year award.
Soucek, 26, has been integral for the Irons this season, scoring nine times in 36 league outings to aid his side’s assault on the European places after narrowly escaping relegation last term.
Ex-Northern Ireland international Houghton, who started his professional career at West Ham, told talkSPORT that the Czech’s form has put him among the Premier League’s elite.
“Declan Rice has been out, Soucek has filled that position and he’s been brilliant,” he said.
“He’s not someone you look at and go ‘wow, you’ve done a wonderful skill’, but his worth to West Ham is incredible.
“He won’t get mentioned for Player of the Year, but he’s worthy of that in my opinion.”
Too many options
There’s a long list of Irons players that we think deserve mentions with regards to the prestigious award.
Soucek would be one after some crucial goals this season allied to his defensive endeavours.
Alongside him Rice has been equally immense, often doing the dirty work to allow his midfield partner to shine further forwards.
Jesse Lingard might have had a chance of being up for Player of the Year had he joined at the start of the season, but the Manchester United loanee probably hasn’t played enough games this season to get into serious contention.
Such is the quality of the Premier League that Soucek won’t get a sniff of the top honour, and it’s hard to look past the likes of Harry Kane and Bruno Fernandes for that award.
But he should certainly be in with a shot of making the Team of the Season to reflect his status as one of the best in the business.
In other West Ham news, ExWHUemployee delivers devastating injury update on ‘Stunning’ Irons ace.
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